00:00Hello everyone, it's been a while, Domsker here with the Shields Gazette. I'm just out walking the dog this Monday evening and yeah, the last time I spoke was after Newcastle's 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park to open pre-season, back when Alexander Isak was merely a player nursing a muscle injury, a minor muscle injury at that.
00:22It's fair to say that situation has become considerably more messy, convoluted, everything since then, but there's actually no real update on that situation to be honest, so I won't bore you speculating or giving you a non-update.
00:40I'll actually go to the tangible stuff, the stuff that's actually happening at Newcastle United this week, which is the signing of Malik Chow, centre-back from AC Milan, defender, 24-year-old, arrived at Dorsley Park first thing this morning to complete his medical and finalise a move, which is worth in the region of £34 million, including add-ons from AC Milan.
01:03And it finally ends Newcastle's hunt for a centre-back, which has gone back to when they were initially linked to Malik Chow over a year ago.
01:14They've since tried to sign Mark Gay, they've since lost Lloyd Kelly on loan to Juventus and since sold him permanently, so centre-back has only become a more pressing target for Newcastle United.
01:26And they've finally got their man in Malik Chow, who ticks a lot of boxes, 24-year-old, just turned 24 as well, he's been capped three times by Germany, he's got Champions League experience,
01:37kept a clean sheet against Newcastle at the San Siro in the Champions League back in 2023, 6'4", plenty of pace as well for centre-back, which is something Newcastle, I think, defensively really need.
01:50And I think it's just a breath of fresh air in terms of a new signing for Newcastle, gives them that injection they're probably needed.
01:59Eddie Howe spoke about the risk of his squad going stale with the lack of new signings, and Malik Chow looks set to be the third one after the loan signing of Aaron Ramsdale,
02:09and of course Anthony Alanga from Nottingham Forest.
02:12So yeah, the centre-back addition, Newcastle, like I say, needed to strengthen its centre-back.
02:19You look at someone like Dan Byrne, he's 34 next season, Fabian Scherz, 34 next season, out of contract next summer, Jamal Lascelles, out of contract next summer, barely featured in the past couple of years.
02:32Sven Botman, the only centre-back, sort of natural centre-back, below the age of 30 years old, has again had his injury problems.
02:41So Malik Chow, they just needed to bring a body in, and he ticks boxes in that regard.
02:47So hopefully a successful signing for Newcastle United.
02:50I wouldn't rule out potentially another centre-back signing, but I think at the moment, now they've got the man in Malik Chow,
02:57which probably set to be confirmed in the coming days, if it hasn't already by the time you see this video.
03:04Four in time for Aston Villa on Saturday.
03:08He'll train with his new team-mate, Malik Chow, head of the trip to Villa Park.
03:13But will he be involved? I'd be surprised if he starts, but we'll wait and see.
03:17He's speaking to Eddie Howe at the media centre on Friday, so we'll get a bit of an update, a bit of clarity on everything surrounding Newcastle United then.
03:27And yeah, now Newcastle's priorities move elsewhere.
03:31Obviously, an attacker remains a big target for Newcastle midfielders as well.
03:38I think you've probably seen Bilal El-Khanous from Leicester City linked.
03:44Low-release close.
03:46Again, 21 years old.
03:47Attacking midfielder in area Newcastle have sort of dabbled in potentially strengthening.
03:52So, that's one to keep an eye on.
03:54And of course, Johan Wisser is a deal.
03:56They'll be looking to get done sooner rather than later within the next week or so.
04:03If indeed it happens, obviously the Isak situation is still up in the air.
04:09And of course, yeah, Johan Wisser, Brentford.
04:13Obviously, the players keen to join.
04:14Can Newcastle actually strike a deal with Brentford and get that transfer fee agreed for a striker who scored 19 goals in the Premier League last season?
04:24He brings obvious strengths to Newcastle's forward line because at the moment, they look set to start with Anthony Gordon leading the line at Villa Park.
04:33And Saturday, if not, it's Willis Sula who would be making his first Premier League start.
04:38So, I'd say in all likelihood, it's Anthony Gordon.
04:40But in the meantime, Newcastle will turn their attentions on the transfer front to sign in a striker.
04:46And as things stand, that player could well be Johan Wisser from Brentford.
04:51So, yeah, that's been Dom Sker, a bit of an unorthodox transfer update, Newcastle United update.
04:57But there'll be more to come throughout the week.
05:00Just head over to the shieldsgazette.com for all the latest Newcastle United news.
05:04And you can follow myself at Dom Sker on X for all your latest Newcastle United chat.
05:10News, opinions, everything like that over on X.
05:15So, thanks for watching.
05:17I'll see you in the next video.
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